Electrolytic cell



.Aprifi 11, 1939. R. N. JONES ET AL 2,153,569

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R. N. JONES ET AL 2,153,569

ELEQTROLYTIC CELL Filed May 2, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 wsmwm I fig M QVan i/ll? ti 4 Q l T! HM o v 0 mu m April 11, 1939 April 11, 1939. R. N.JONES ET AL 2,153,569 ELECTROLYTIC 'CELL I Filed May 2, 1935 3Sheets-Sheet 3 as mm g NVENTORS 1711!!! AZ Jbnzs free: 4 60km;

- ATTORN Y Patented Apr. J11, 1939 PATENT; OFFICE 2,153,569 Emc'moLmo cmRussell N. Jones and Greci G. Gomez, Johnsonburg, Pa., assignors toCastanea Paper Company, a corporation of Delaware Application Mayc.1935, sci-n1 No. 19,342

supporting structure with the elimination of coinplications found inpresent commercial cells.

Another object is to provide optimum electrode spacing and topermitreversal of the anode plates at various times during the lite oi thecell. still another object is to provide for more complete utilizationand consumption of the anode, thus reducing waste anode losses, andcontributing to a reduction in one of the principal expenses of celloperation, viz. anode cost.

Another object is to provide a sediment collecting zone in the bottom oithe cell for collecting an appreciable amount of sediment withoutinteriering with the operation oi! the cell and adapted for flushing outsuch sediment without dis- ,1 nantling the cell.

Many electrolytic cells in commercial use today have a plurality ofconcrete posts, through which posts extend copper cores soshaped orformed to receive graphite spindles which extend through the concretepostsand have tapered terminals. Graphite plates drilled to the sametaper are fitted on the graphite spindles so that two plates are locatedon opposite sides of the concrete posts. The concrete posts usually restupon a tile bottom of the cell chamber with acopper core extending outthrough the roof of the cell to a bus bar, which roof is commonlyreferred to as an arch. A porous diaphragm and a cathode are positionedaround the anode plates.

Such a construction requires a large number 01 current carrying joints,and such joints result in greater electrical losses and consequentlylower efliciency than if such' joints were not present. Furthermore theconstruction of the anode does 5 not permit suitable strengthening orreinforcing,

especiailywhere the copper core extends through the arch of the cell,and the danger of chlorine leakageis increased.

According to our invention the anode is composed of a plurality ofconducting slabs such as graphite, which extend the working height ofthe cell and. a short distance above the arch. The slabs are suitablyattached to a. bus bar'by any desired means. The diaphragm and cathodeare as relatively closely spaced from the anode, and the (or. zoo-5s)cell is provided with a sediment collecting zone at the bottom thereof,and of such porportion as to provide accumulation of an appreciableamount oi.

.sediment without interfering with the operation of the cell. Theconstruction of the sediment col- 5 lecting zone is such that thesediment can be easily removed and the zone flushed without dismantlingthe cell. This is superiorto other constructions which necessitatedismantling the cell to remove the sediment, resulting in the destruc- 1tion of the diaphragm with each such dismantling.

Also cells in common use have brine inlets and chlorine outlets builtinto the walls 01 the cells. The repair of such inlets and outlets isdiflicult because of their inaccessibility. The inlets and outlets ofour improved cell are substantially external to the cell, andsuch'accesslbility permits easy repair or change in the same.

The cell according to this invention is providedwith acontinuous, archthroughwhich the slabs extend, and the' arch assists in maintaining suchslabs in their proper position and reinforces and strengthens the same.Our cell is compact and less massive than other cells, and can be easilyassembled or dismantled. Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top planview of an electrolytic cell according to. our invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with a portion removed;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the cell; v Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionalview taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5; s

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the cell; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 2. i

'In the drawings, the anode is composed 0! a plurality of conductingslabs I, such as graphite, which rest on supports I of insulating andbrine resistant material, for example tile. A continuous arch I ofinsulating material extends substantially the length of the cell and maybe of any suitable shape, such as arched. square, rectangular, etc., andthe expression arc .in the specification and claims denotes thejroot orthe cell, according to well-known usage. The arch 3 has a longitudinalrib l which is secured to the a gh in any suitable manner. For examplethe rib 4 may be welded to a member I, which may be blocks or acontinuous strip, and member 5 may be screwed to the arch 3. The arch I8 rs short distance. Any desired number of slabs has openings 3 intheform of recesses, notches, or holes, through which the slabs I extendfor may be used, and in practical operation we have found that two rows,each containing nine slabs give good results. Copper angles 'I arescrewed I to slabs I and the copper angles and slabs are electricallyconnected to a common bus bar Ii by means of fork leads 3.

Diaphragms H, such as mats of asbestos, on the outersides of the anoderows extend substantially the length and height of the cell andare'separated from graphite slabs I by means of shims I2. The shims,graphite plates, arch and diaphragms at their points of contact arepacked with suitable material to prevent loss of chlorine.

Cathodes I3 having openings 'I3a are in contact with the outer side ofdiaphragms I2, and the diaphragm and cathodeon each side of the cell areclosely spaced from the graphite slabs. For

. example, the diaphragm and cathode may be spaced two inches from theslabs, or even one inch or less. The cathodes I3 are connected to acommon bus bar I4 by means of brackets I5 and I6. On the outer sides ofthe cathodes I3 are cathode chambers I I formed by" concrete strips orwalls I8 provided with serrated baiiies 59. Side metal walls 2 I,preferably integral with concrete strips I 8, are suitably clamped inposition,

, as will be hereinafter described. Side walls 2! may be provided withreinforcing angle irons 22.

' I beam end wall member 31, which may An internally threaded The endsoi the cell are closed by means of a tile strip 23 which extendssubstantially the working height of. the cell, and on the outer side oftile strip 23 is a concrete strip 24. The tile and concrete strips areheld in position by a metal which extends substantially the height ofthe cell. The side and end walls may be clamped or otherwise" held inposition. For example 'top'clamps 26 at their lower ends .press againstside walls 2I and flanges 21 of said A side walls, and at their upperends against longitudinal rib 4. Threaded bolts 28 and nuts 29 hold theclamp in proper position. Side clamps 3 and at their outer ends againstI beams 25, and are held in position by means of threaded bolts 3|,which pass through openings in I beams 25, and nuts 32. The end portionsof longitudinal rib 4 are flanged at I. and are screwed at 23 to sidewalls 2 The bottom of the cell is provided with a sediment collectingzone 33 of suil'icient depth to permit accumulation of a substantialamount of sediment without interfering with the proper" operation of thecell. Sediment 33 extends substantialy the the cell shown collectingzone working length of in'the drawings it is formed by a tile member 34,having curved upper face, and the tile member rests on a U-shapedconcerete member 35. The concrete member 35 rests on metal I beam 38.The sediment collecting zone may be provided [at one or both ends with aremovable be an ordinary plug as or other suitable means. bracket 33 ismounted on I beam and threaded bolt 33 passes through the threadedopening of bracket "and presses against the plug 37. V

The bottoms" of the cathode chambers I! are shown, a hinged cover,

provided with U-shaped members H which extend substantially the workinglength of the cell, and are provided with openings 42 to permitdischarge of liquor into collecting zones 43. Zones a. current is passedthrough the. cell.

bonate, and the solution through openings 42 in the bottom of cathode 4othrough a common outlet pipe 54.

at their inner ends press against side walls 2| and may be oi anydesired shape.- As

43 are formed by troughs 44 which extend substantially the workinglength of the cell, and are welded to-I beam 33. Vent pipes 45 permitvapcrs to escape from troughs. Troughs 44 are provided at their'upperouter external ends with 5 angleirons 46, and bottom clamps 41 at theirupper ends press against side walls 2| above the flanges 43, and attheir lower ends against the bottom parts or: beam 36. Threaded bolts43,

which pass through openings in I beam 36, and 10 nuts 49 maintain theclamps in proper position. The cell is provided with a charge inlet pipe5| and with a gas outlet pipe 52, both of which extend through the wallsof the cell and into the anode chamber. Pipes 5| and 52 aresubstantially external'to the cell, that is they are external to thecell except for the shortdistance that they extend through the walls ofthecell, in contradistinction to other inlet and outlet pipes, a.substantial portion into the walls of the cell.

The operation of the cell will be described with respect to theelectrolysis of a brine solution followed by carbonation, but it isunderstood that the invention is not limited to any particular 25 typeof electrolysis, and electrolysis of solutions other than brine may becarried out with good results in our cell. The brine is introducedthrough inlet pipe 5| into the anode chamber and rine formed isremoved-through outlet pipe 52, and if desired asuction pump may be usedto facilitate withdrawal. Sodium hydroxide is formed in the cathodechamber, and carbon dioxide and steam are introduced into this chamberthrough pipes 53. As the sodium hydroxide trickles down the serratedbaflles I9, it reacts with the carbon dioxide to form sodium carof thesame passes chambers I'I into troughs 44 and is removed During operationof the cell sediment will collect in the sediment collecting zone 33,and to remove such sediment it is only necessary, when the cell is notin use, to remove the plug 31 and introduce water 45 through inlet pipe5|. Or the cell may be provided with a plug on each end of the zone 33in which case both plugs are removed and. water is forced in one end ofthe cone and passes out 01' 60 the other.

During the operation of the cell the sides of the graphite slabsv ajacent the diaphragm and cathode will be reduced in size, resulting inde-' creased effl'ciency of the cell. When one side of 55 the slab hasbeen so attacked, the arch of the cell is -removed and the graphiteplates are reversed, presenting an unattacked face to the cathode. Afterone or both sides of the graphite slabs have been worn away, for exampleto one-half of their original thickness, the upper unattacked portionsof the slabs which are external to the cell may be planed to a thicknessuniform with the attacked portions, and two oi these slabs can be joinedto form a composite slab of approximately the original dimensions, asshown at 55.

This anode reclamation permits more complete utilization and consumptionof the anode thus reducing waste anode losses and anode cost, whichoperation. Such 7 is the principal expense-of cell reclamation alsopermits operation at substantially the original optimum anode. spacingand high efllciency. I I

The cell according to our invention is substantially free ofall-internal current (1 7 118 Joints :5

of which are built 20 The chlo- 30 aisasoo' permitting a greateremciency of operation. The initial operating voltages are lower than inother and continue lower during the life of the cell. The power savingsof such cells may amount 5 to as high as 35-kilowatt hours per day overan initial period of operation of approximately a year, with respect toother cells now in commer--' cial operation. There is no sagging of thearch, and it assists in supporting and-maintaining the slabs in theirproper position. Moreover, it is not necessary to dismantle the cell,with the attendant loss of the diaphragm, to remove the sediment, andthe external inlets and outlets provide easy access to the same incase-of damage or replace-.

ment.

We are not to be limited to any particular charging materials, to anysize of cell, anode,

cathode, or diaphragm, nor to any number of graphite slabs forming theanode, nor to any other limitations, except as expressly provided in theclaims. I

When we speak in the specification and claims of a cell beingsubstantially free of internal current carrying joints, or use words ofsimilar import we means an electrolytic cell in which the anode ora'plurality of anodes extends substantially the working height of thecell and through a continuous arch extending substantially the length ofthe cell andin which the 'anode or anodes are substantially free fromany seams or interior of the cell.

We claim:

1.v An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extendingsubstantially the length of the cell and having openings, an anodecomprising a plu- T rality of graphite slabs extending substantially theworking height of the cell and through said openings, supports for saidslabs, a cathode, and

a diaphragm between said cathode and said a graphite slabs, a sedimentcollecting trough in the bottom or said cell extending longitudinally ofthe same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of saidtrough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said troughmay be removed without dismantling the cellm 2; An electrolytic cellcomprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length of thecell and having openings, an anode comprising a substantially theworkingheight of the cell and through said. openings, supports for saidslabs, a cathode, and a diaphragm between said cathode and said graphiteslabs, a sediment col- 55 lecting trough irrthe bottom of said cellextend-- in: longitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs andmeans adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in whichsediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dis- 60mantling the-cell. V 3. An electrolytic cell comprising acontinuous archextending substantially the, length or the cell and having openings, ananode comprising a plurality oi! graphite slabs extending substantially5 the working height of thelcell and through said openings, at least oneof said slabs being a composite of two previously used and worn slabs,supports for said slabs, a cathode and a diaphragm .between said cathodeand said graphite slabs, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom ofsaid cell extending longitudinally of the same below said graphite slabsand means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in whichsediment accumulated in said trough may be removed 1| without adiaphragm between said cathode and said may be removed withoutdismantling the cell.

plurality of reversible graphite slabs extending cathode and said firstseries of graphite slabs, a

' tween said first series and said second series of 4. Anelectrolyticcell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length oithe cell and having openings, an anode comprising a plurality ofreversible graphite slabs extending substantially theworking height ofthe cell and through said openings, supports for said slabs, a

cathode, and a diaphragm between said cathode and said graphite slabs,said slabs being capable of substantially optimum spacing from saiddiaphfagm during the life of the cell, asediment collecting troughin thebottom of said cell extend= ing longitudinally of the same below saidgraphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said trough defining anoutlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removedwithout dis- 4 mantling the cell.

.5. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous. arch extendingsubstantially the length of the cell and having openings, an anodecomprising a p1urality of graphite slabs extending substantially theworking height of the cell and through said openings, at least one ofsaid slabs being a composite of two previously used and worn s1abs,sup-

, ports for said slabs, a cathode and a diaphragm between said. cathodeand said, graphite slabs. 35 said slabs being capable of substantiallyoptimum spacing from said diaphragm during the lite of/ the cell, asediment collecting trough inthe bottom of said cellextendingllongitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs and meansadjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sedimentaccumulated in said trough 6. An electrolytic cell comprising acontinuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell andhaving openings, an anode comprising a plurality of graphite slabsextending substantially the working height of the cell and through saidopenings, supports for said slabs, a cathode, and

graphite slabs, a sediment collecting trough in. the bottom of said cellextending longitudinally of the same below saidgr'aphite salbs and meansadjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sedimentaccumulated in said trough 7. An electrolytic cell comprising acontinuous arch extending substantially the length of the may be removedwithout dismantling the cell,

cell and having openings, a first series of graphite slabs on one sideof said cell extending substantially the working height of said cell andthrough said openings, supports for said first series of graphite slabsin the bottom of said cell, a first cathode, a first diaphragmbetween-said first second-series of graphite slabs adjacent the other,side of said cell, said slabs extending substantially the workingheight of said cell and through openings in said arch, supports for saidsecond series 01' slabs in the bottom of said cell, a second cathode, asecond diaphragm between said second cathode and said second series ofgraphite slabs, and a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of saidcell extending longitudinally of the same begraphite slabs. H

8. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extendingsubstantially the length of the cell and having openings, a .firstseries of graphite slabs'on one side of said cell extendingsubstantially the working height of said cell and through said openings,supports graphite slabsin the'bottomof said cell, a first cathode, afirst diaphragm between said/first cathode and said first series oigraphite slabs.

for said first series of a second series of graphite slabs adjacent theother side of said cell, said slabs extending subbottom of said cellextending longitudinally of trough defining an outlet in graphite slabsin the of the same between said first series and said the same betweensaid first series and said second series of graphite slabs, and meansadjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sedimentaccumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cell.

9. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extendingsubstantially the length of the cell and having openings, a first seriesof graphite slabs on one side of said cell extending substantially theworking height of said cell and through said openings, supports for saidfirst series of graphite slabs in the bottom of said cell, a firstcathode, a first diaphragm between said first cathode and said firstseries of graphite slabs, a second series of graphite slabs adjacent theother,

side of said cell, said slabs extending substantially the working heightof said cell and through openings in said arch, supports for said secondseries of slabs in the bottom of said cell, a second cathode, a seconddiaphragm betweensaid second cathode and said second series of graphiteslabs, an inlet pipe, and a gas outlet pipe, said pipes beingsubstantially external to said cell, a sediment collecting trough in thebottom of said cell extending longitudinally of the same below saidgraphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said which sedimentaccumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cell.

10. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extendingsubstantially the length of the cell and having openings, a first seriesof graphite slabs on one side of said cell extending substantially theworking height of said cell and through said openings, supports for saidfirst series of bottom of said .cell, a first cathode, afirst diaphragmbetween said first cathode and said first series of graphite'slabs,'a

second series of graphite slabs adjacent the other sideoi' said cell,said slabs extending substantially the working height of said cell andthrough openings in said'arch, supports for said second es of slabs inthe bottom of said cell, a second cat ode, a second diaphragm betweensaid second cathode and said second series of graphite slabs, cathodechambers adjacent said first and second cathode, means for introducinginto said cathode chambers a gas reactable with the product ofelectrolysis, and a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of saidcell extending longitudinally second series of graphite slabs.

11. An electrolytic cellcomprlsing a continuous arch extendingsubstantially the length of the cell and havingopenings. a first seriesof graphite slabs on one side of said cell extending substan- 70; secondseries or graphite slabs adjacent the other A 01 slabs in the bottom ofsaid tially the working height of said cell and through said openings,supports for said first series of graphite slabs cathode, a firstdiaphragm between said first cathode and said first series of graphiteslabs,-a

side-of said cell, said slabs extending substantially the'worklng heightof said cell and through openings in said arch, supports for said secondseries cell, a second caththe working height in the bottom of said cell,a first.

ode, a second diaphragm between said second cathode and said secondseries of graphite slabs, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom ofsaid cell extending longitudinally of the same between said first seriesand said second series of graphite slabs, means adjacent one end of saidtrough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated .in said troughmay be removed without dismantling the cell, an inlet pipe, a gas outletpipe, said pipes being substantially external to said cell, cathodechambers adjacent said first and second cathodes, means for introducinginto said cathode chambers a gas reactable with the prodnot ofelectrolysis, removable walls for said cell, and clamps for holding saidwalls in position on the cell.

12. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extendingsubstantially the length oi the cell and having openings, an anodecomprising a plurality of graphite slabs extending substantially of thecell and through said openings, supports for said slabs, a cathode, anda diaphragm between said cathode and said graphite slabs, a sedimentcollecting trough in the bottom, of said cell extending longitudinallyof the same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of saidtrough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said troughmay be removed without dismantling the cell, removable walls iorsaidcell and clamp means substantially external to said cell for holdingsaid walls in position on the cell. l

13. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous archextendingsubstantiaily the length of the cell and having openings, ananode comprising a plurality of graphite slabs extending substantiallythe working height of the cell and through said of said trough definingan outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removedwithout dismantling the cell, removable walls for said cell. and clampmeans substantially external to said cell for holding said walls inposition on the cell.

, 14. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending celland having openings, an anode comprising a plurality of reversiblegraphite slabsextending substantially the working height of the cell andthrough said openings, at least one of said slabs being a worn slasupports for said slabs, a cathode and a diaphragm between said cathodeand said graphite slabs, said slabs being capable of substantiallyoptimum spacing from said diaphragm during the life of the .cell, asediment collecting trough in the bottom of said cell extendinglongitudinally oi the same below said graphite slabs 'and means adiacentone end of said trough de-' composite of two previously used and.

substantially the length of the of aid cell and through said openings,supports for said first series of graphite slabs in the bottom of saidcell, a first cathode, a first diaphragm between said first cathode andsaid first series of graphite slabs, a

second series of graphite slabs adjacent the other side of said cell,said slabs extending substantially the working height of said cell andthrough openings in said arch, supports for said second series of slabsin the bottom of said cell, a second cathode, a second diaphragm betweensaid second cathode and said second series of graphite slabs, removablewalls for said cell, and clamp means substantially external to said cellfor holding said walls in position on the cell, a sediment collectingtrough in the bottom of said cell extending longi tudinally of the samebetween said first series and said second series of graphite slabs, andmeans adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in whichsediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantlingthe cell.

RUSSELL N. JONES. GRECI G. GOMEZ.

